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The Car Guide › Manufacturers › BMW › 3 Series › 2016

BMW 3 Series

Year

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The Car Guide rating 4.0/5 78% Detailed ratings

Price $39,990 – $75,000 Payments

Fuel consumption 3.0 – 13.7 L/100km

Awards Best luxury sedan under $50,000 of 2016 coupe

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The benchmark for compact luxury sedans for decades, the BMW 3 Series isn't the queen of the category for nothing. Available with three gasoline engines of 181, 241 and 300 horsepower, respectively, as well as a 181-horsepower diesel, the BMW 3 Series, with its combination of style and agility, has what it takes to please one and all. You can also opt for the M3, an extreme version that, with 425 horsepower, will blow your mind.

Tests and Features

All BMW 3 Series reviews

Manual Gearbox to Survive in These Vehicles for 2026

If you're looking to get your hands on a new vehicle without an automatic transmission, we recommend you act sooner rather than later. There are only 24 options remaining for the 2026 model year, and they're mostly sports cars aimed at serious driving enthusiasts. Unsurprisingly, that number is down from …October 20, 2025

20 History-Making Cars From the BMW Museum

September 26, 2025

50 Years of BMW 3 Series: The Evolution of the Ultimate Driving Machine

2025 BMW 330i xDrive: Keeping Sedans Fun and Relevant

Traditional passenger cars are becoming increasingly rare among mass-market and luxury brands alike. Not only that, but automakers now have this habit of streamlining their offerings for cost-saving purposes, much to the chagrin of enthusiasts. Eliminating manual gearboxes, cheaper models or wagon variants is one example—and that’s exactly what is …December 24, 2024

Manual Gearbox to Survive in These Vehicles for 2025

The number of makes and models offering manual transmissions keeps shrinking due to poor sales, new emission regulations, incompatibilities with various driver assistance features and the increasing array of electric and hybrid vehicles, among other things. The 2025 model year will see the Jeep Gladiator, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf …November 16, 2024

BMW M2, M3 or M5: Which of These Track Stars is Best for You?

Spartanburg, South Carolina — The Car Guide was recently invited to take part in BMW ’s annual Test Fest, where members of the media can take a large selection of vehicles for a spin both on the road and on the track. With the BMW M2, M3 and M5 all …November 21, 2023

Manual Gearbox to Survive in These Vehicles for 2024

October 13, 2023

2024 BMW M3 CS: The Best M3 Yet, Although...

Kelowna, British Columbia— In the wonderful world of BMW M, special editions with an even greater focus on performance and handling are always part of the plan. For 2024, the legendary BMW M3 is upping its game with a track-focused yet street-legal M3 CS . While the car is landing …July 26, 2023

The Evolution of Car Grilles is Something to Behold

10 Good Used Vehicles From 2016

Pre-owned vehicles

If your budget is only compatible with five or six year-old vehicles, you obviously won’t be able to take advantage of the initial manufacturer’s warranty (unless, for example, you opt for a Mitsubishi model that has a drivetrain coverage of 10 years or 160,000 km). For that reason, choosing a …April 26, 2022

2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive: Drifting on Ice and Loving Every Minute

The side windows are covered in snow, the engine is toying with the redline, and the four tires are happily dancing on sheer ice as I drift the new BMW M3 Competition xDrive around a figure-8 course... What a fabulous day on Mécaglisse's ice track in the small town of …March 29, 2022

2013-2018 BMW 3 Series: What You Should Know Before Buying

Pre-owned vehicles

The BMW 3 Series remains one of the benchmarks in the compact luxury car category. A majority of consumers today prefer to go with SUVs like the X3 or X5 , but for those who fancy a more dynamic experience and don't need a large vehicle, the 3 Series is …February 4, 2022

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News

All BMW 3 Series news

BMW 3 Series Gets Canadian-Exclusive 50 Jahre Edition

Just like it did last year with a 25 Jahre Edition of the X5 exclusive to Canada and limited to 250 units, BMW is now launching a very special 3 Series that will not be offered in the U.S. or anywhere else but here. The new 2026 M340i xDrive 50 …November 4, 2025

Several BMW Models, and One Toyota, Recalled Over Fire Risk

An engine starter issue has led to a new safety recall affecting several BMW models along with the Toyota GR Supra . Nearly 200,000 vehicles are involved in the U.S. and another 17,766 in Canada. Following an investigation that began in July 2024, it was discovered that, in some cases, …September 26, 2025

Upcoming BMW i3 Teased Alongside Brand New iX3 Crossover

In addition to unveiling its all-new, all-electric iX3 during a world premiere in Munich, BMW today offered another preview of the closely related i3 compact sedan. A complete departure from the small hatchback bearing the same name that was discontinued in 2021, this new i3 is based, just like the …September 5, 2025

All the Vehicles Built in Canada and Mexico That Are Sold in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump's 25-percent tariff on all foreign-made automobiles and parts has now come into effect. Vehicles from Canada and Mexico that meet CUSMA's trade rules will be hit by the tariff only on the non-American content. But make no mistake: this will result in significant price hikes all …April 3, 2025

The Most Dependable Used Vehicles in 2025 According to J.D. Power

Looking for a reliable used car, truck or SUV? J.D. Power has just published its 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study, which is based on responses from more than 34,000 original owners of 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study covers more than 180 specific problem areas across nine …February 13, 2025

BMW Teases Electric M3 With Neue Klasse Design and Four Motors

The next generation of the BMW 3 Series , expected to debut in 2026, will take a page from the larger 5 Series and 7 Series and offer both gasoline and electric variants. The key difference is that the latter will be based on the new Neue Klasse platform, first …December 12, 2024

Many Popular BMW Models May Catch Fire, 78,000 Units Recalled in Canada

A number of popular models from German automaker BMW have just been hit with a recall due to a fire risk. Over 78,000 units are affected in Canada alone. We’re talking about the 2014-2016 2 Series and 4 Series , 2012-2016 3 Series , 5 Series and Z4 , 2012-2015 …August 27, 2024

Several BMW Models Recalled Over Engine Starter Issues, Fire Risk

BMW is recalling many different models that are now 4-5 years old due to issues with the engine starter. The number of units being recalled exceeds 105,000 in the U.S. and amounts to 11,802 in Canada. The affected models include the 2019-2020 BMW X5 and X7 , 2020 3 Series …August 8, 2024

44,000 Older BMWs With Takata Airbags Recalled in Canada

Better late than never, as they say. More vehicles are now being recalled to fix potentially faulty airbag inflators manufactured by out-of-business Japanese supplier Takata. This time, we’re talking about over 44,000 BMW cars and SUVs in Canada, more specifically select units of the 2005 1 Series , 2006-2012 3 …July 5, 2024

2025 BMW 3 Series Freshens Up, Beefs Up

The seventh-generation BMW 3 Series continues to evolve two years after getting a major update . The changes are not as significant this time around, but fans of the German compact sedan will be pleased nonetheless. On the outside, two new 19-inch wheel designs and two new body colours are …May 28, 2024

The Best Compact Luxury Cars in 2024

Compact luxury cars don’t shine like they used to, but several big names still deserve consideration. What are the best buys in the segment for Canadian drivers? The team at The Car Guide has analyzed all the various models available and identified the top three for 2024. Truth be told, …April 22, 2024

Next BMW M3 to Feature ICE and EV Variants Side by Side

BMW is busy planning the next generation of the high-performance M3 , which should arrive in 2027. We can tell you now that ICE-powered and fully electric variants of the car will coexist for at least a few years. That’s what product development chief Frank Weber told a group of …September 18, 2023

Videos

All BMW 3 Series videos

Motoring TV 2003 Episode 1

2003 Kia Sorento 2003 BMW M3 truck & van spare tires can pose potential hazard if not checked Viper love-in real life danger of under-maintained tires Jim Kenzie on Mitsubishi's return to Canada.

Motoring TV 2005 Episode 20

2006 Lexus RX400 Hybrid 2006 BMW 3 Series proper fuel octane ride a Mini - on a roller-coaster! Bill Gardiner takes spin in 2006 Corvette when it comes to quality Jaguar is #2 and proud of it!

Bienvenido a Mexico!

BMW is coming home, sort of. BMW announced it is going to build the next generation 3-series cars in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The company is investing $1 billion to establish the plant, its second in North America, the other is in Spartanburg South Carolina. The current 3-series sold in …

BMW M3: From E30 to E92

The BMW M3 has been one of the world's most desirable cars for over 25 years. We take a look at its origin and its most extreme version to date.

2013 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Trailer

See the all-new 2013 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

Bruno Spengler Test Drives the BMW M3 DTM at Valencia

2012 DTM winner for BMW Motorsports, Bruno Spengler, test drives the new M3 DTM at Valencia.

2012 BMW 3 Series

Our review of the 2012 BMW 3 Series

BMW 1 Series M Coupé and BMW M3 Sport Evo

Presentation of the BMW 1 Series M Coupé and BMW M3 Sport Evo

The Car Guide rating 78%

Pros

N/A

Cons

N/A

Global rating

Fuel economy	6/10
Reliability	6/10
Safety	8/10
Infotainment	7/10
Driving	8/10
Overall	8/10

Luxury sedans under $50,000

Fuel economy	8/10
Reliability	6/10
Safety	8/10
Infotainment	7/10
Driving	8/10
Overall	9/10

Luxury sedans between $50,000 and $100,000

Fuel economy	8/10
Reliability	6/10
Safety	8/10
Infotainment	7/10
Driving	8/10
Overall	8/10

Sedans and wagons under $50,000 (3 Series Touring)

Fuel economy	8/10
Reliability	6/10
Safety	8/10
Infotainment	7/10
Driving	8/10
Overall	8/10

Sport cars between $50,000 and $100,000

Fuel economy	7/10
Reliability	6/10
Safety	8/10
Infotainment	7/10
Driving	8/10
Overall	8/10

Plug-in hybrid vehicles

Fuel economy	8/10
Reliability	6/10
Safety	8/10
Infotainment	7/10
Driving	8/10
Overall	8/10

What's new in 2016

N/A

Competitors

Recalls

Label
August 15, 2024
Engine
August 13, 2024
Engine
November 19, 2021
Fuel System
July 29, 2021
Engine
October 26, 2018
Powertrain
November 19, 2015

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